I was going to wait until my trip was over to post, but given how many people are talking about capsule wardrobes on YLF I figured I should contribute now!

I'm currently 2 months and a week into a 3 month trip in South Africa to do fieldwork for my dissertation. I'm in a bunch of different cities and locations, and so I knew when I started budgeting for the trip that flying carry-on only would save me literally hundreds of dollars (and anxiety about lost bags and stolen items). I spent a good while planning out what to bring, and also came into the trip having a very good sense of my style, and so far it's been great! I have yet to acquire any new items on this trip, and haven't needed anything in addition to what I brought. In fact, I've actually had several items that I brought with me that I've donated or discarded along the way, and several items that I wish I had left at home.

This post is long, so the abbreviated version is I'm doing the bulk of my daily activities (ranging from walking around a shack settlement to attending a government workshop) with about 11 pieces of clothing and 2 pairs of shoes, plus loungewear, undergarments, a scarf, and a bit of gear. I also posted pictures of my main 11 things, 2 shoes, 1 scarf, my questionable raincoat, and a skirt I donated at the bottom of the post.

So, here's what I brought and still have and use regularly:

• 1 pair Gap jeans, dark wash, straight leg
• 1 pair Lole trek pants, black, tailored to be straight leg (I also took off some of the accents that made them look more like gear)
• 1 fleece jacket, Patagonia "better sweater" from 2013 NAS, teal
• 1 cotton blazer, beige, from 2011 NAS
• 2 wool cardigans, one brown from Icebreaker, one olive from Loft
• 1 wool hoody, NAU, olive
• 2 cotton LS knit tops, both from Loft, 1 navy with orange polka dots and with a zipper shoulder detail, 1 bunt orange
• 1 wool SS knit top, Icebreaker, brown
• 1 tank top, woven front and knit back, Loft, plum
• 1 merrell bliss glove wool shoes in brown
• 1 merrell evera rush booties in brown (I cut off the pull tabs)
• 1 wool scarf, everlane, tan

plus loungewear and undergarments:

• 1 crocs "sexi flip" sandals in beige (shower shoes)
• 2 pairs long underwear bottoms, one's Patagonia and one's North Face, mostly used as sleepwear and loungewear but can be worn under pants, black
• 2 long underwear tops, 1 long sleeved and 1 tank top, also mostly sleepwear/loungewear but can be layered, black
• 3 pairs of socks, 1 Smartwool and 2 Icebreaker
• 5 pairs of Patagonia underwear
• 2 natori bras

I had an additional two long sleeved shirts with me, both basic cotton long sleeved tops from Loft (in teal and plum), that bit the dust. One I had to toss just 3 weeks in, the other made it 2 months before getting 2 really obvious holes. I had assumed that I would need to replace these tops, but I've actually done just fine without them.

There are several other items that I've used a couple times, but they haven't really earned their keep this trip and I'm not sure I would bring them again:

• 1 rain jacket, North Face grace from several seasons back, brown - used this for about 2 rainy days and 2 cold days, I'm not convinved it was necessary
• 1 pair merrell running shoes - I've worn them a couple places, but could have survived in my other shoes

Coming into the trip, every article I read with advice said that there will always be something you regret bringing, and I thought I was packing light enough to be able to avoid that. But I've actually had a bunch of things that I wish I left at home:

• 1 maxi skirt, loft, burgundy - I realized I would MUCH rather wear pants, so I donated this at my second city
• 1 sports bra - very much wishful thinking, I haven't done any high-impact exercise yet this trip
• 1 brown exercise tank - I brought this because I thought I might be exercising, it's super lightweight and breathable, and I thought I could layer it. It's actually TOO breathable to layering with it doesn't add warmth, and I definitely didn't need it for exercising.
• 1 beanie, Icebreaker, burgundy - even when it's been cold, it hasn't been THAT cold
• 1 tan belt - I'm not much for tucking, so I've mostly just worn this on travel days, which is rather inconvenient and uncomfortable
• 1 pair basic black gloves - it got could a couple times, but I should have brought my fingerless gloves instead - they're cuter and more functional

Main lessons learned:

1. Traveling with a super tiny wardrobe is possible and I really enjoy it.
2. I need even less than I thought I needed.
3. Traveling this light is only possibly if you wash everything that needs to be washed as soon as you take it off.
4. I like having at least 3 of each type of clothes, socks, undies. There have been days when it rained on my laundry, and having at least a third pair of an item has saved me a lot of grief! If an item is ruined, lost, etc, having at least two others can keep you going until you find a replacement (though luckily I haven't had to do that yet.

This way of traveling certainly isn't for everyone, but I am really enjoying it. I wouldn't want to live this minimally forever because the constant hand washing can get tiring (and takes some time). Let me know if you have any questions!

I've also got some ideas about what I will pack if I do this trip again next year, but this post is long so I'll put those in the comments.